Mel C at Union Chapel

Just hours before the release of new album Sweat, Melanie C takes to the renowned stage of Union Chapel for a special evening of acoustic previews as well as much-loved memory lane classics. This is no regular gig, especially given the contrasting 90s dancefloor-inspired, electronic nature of the record itself, combined with the free-flowing and quite frankly, hilarious, conversation in such an intimate venue (“a church that smells like beer”). Melanie C, aka “Mel C”, aka “Sporty Spice”, is often cited as the strongest vocalist of the Spice Girls, and she mightily delivers; with only two musicians on stage, there’s no production (or other band members!) to hide behind. In a year of nostalgia-fuelled but worthy comebacks, it’s an absolute treat for fans with refreshing new, versatile, stripped-back material too.

The set-up allows for Chisholm’s distinct, breathy vocals to shine as a powerful solo. Boasting a music discography still going strong since 1994, it’s no wonder the set begins with defiant track Undefeated Champion, complete with impressive falsetto ad-libs. It also wouldn’t be a Sporty Spice performance without a signature tracksuit, too – both on stage and as the most common theme amongst the audience. There’s the confessional “theme tune to my life” next in the form of What Could Possibly Go Wrong, before a segment of “oldies” starting with 2000’s Never Be the Same Again. The beauty of performing in a 900-capacity venue is that the artist can actually interact with the audience, which is exactly what happens with opening up song requests for the next throwback, Northern Star. Of course, there’s a very special energy in the air for an acoustic Spice Up Your Life and 2 Become 1, with fans undeniably soaking up the rarity of this room. It’s also clear that the songs from Sweat will scarcely be performed this way, with a worldwide tour in September promising a very different kind of energy. Latest tracks like Sweat and Attitude are arranged in a confident mash-up, and the final reimagined new track Drum Machine demonstrates a difficult range, still managing to pack the anthemic momentum with audience claps replacing the floorfiller beat.

As the evening closes with another classic, I Turn to You, what was billed as a short 45-minute set is instead nearly an hour of no frills, passionate musical celebration and conversation. “I’ve been rather busy”, the singer says, before acknowledging the support of her long-standing audience. It’s an almost emotional evening as the artist becomes tearful, addressing how this ninth studio album might be her highest-charting solo release. From personality-filled interjections, effortless dancing across the stage and even honest song restarts, this album showcase feels less like a concert and more an evening of catching up. “We have grown up together…I have been reminded of how lovely you all are,” she says; it has been three decades after all. We’ve known Melanie C as a Spice Girl, a DJ, solo artist and now what feels like an old friend. With decades of hard work and grind, Sweat is a fitting, exciting chapter. Long may this journey continue.